Crime
Incident in Lee County Raises Concerns Over Handling of Assault on Teenage Girls
According to Barrett, officials told her that the girls “chose to jump out of the golf cart,” implying that the boy cannot be held responsible for their injuries.
Lee County, Florida — A traumatic incident involving a group of teenage girls in Lee County has left one girl hospitalized with severe injuries and another with a broken foot, sparking outrage over the response by authorities and emergency medical personnel.
According to Ambree Barrett, who reached out to Channel2 NOW to share her account, her daughter and her daughter’s best friend were driving a golf cart near their community, as they often do. The girls were accompanied by a friend, who brought along another individual they didn’t know well. Allegedly, this individual had been having ongoing issues with a boy who had been terrorizing her in the Babcock Ranch area.
The boy, upon seeing the girl on the golf cart, reportedly pursued the group in his car. During the chase, he lit a firework and threw it into the moving golf cart. The girls, fearing for their safety, jumped out of the vehicle to avoid being injured.
One of the girls, Kaia, sustained multiple fractures to her skull, a brain bleed, and a burn mark on her back from the firework. She remains in the trauma unit, suffering from a traumatic brain injury and significant pain. Her friend, who was driving the golf cart, suffered a broken foot, along with scratches and bruises. She has since been hospitalized twice due to seizures related to her injuries.
Adding to the family’s distress, Barrett shared that her daughter has cystic fibrosis, a condition that has been exacerbated by the physical and emotional toll of the incident.
Barrett alleges that when emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and firefighters arrived on the scene, they dismissed the severity of the girls’ injuries. She stated that EMTs told the girls they were “fine” and to find their own transportation to the hospital.
“I was on video chat with my daughter, and I could hear her screaming in pain while holding her head,” Barrett said. Despite this, EMTs reportedly told her daughter and her friend to walk, even though the friend had a broken foot.
The girls’ parents eventually transported them to the hospital, where Kaia was immediately transferred via ambulance, with lights and sirens, to a trauma center.
The boy accused of throwing the firework has been identified by multiple community members as Matthew Lopez, Gavin Wolf and Aiden Giordana, but Barrett claims that Lee County authorities have stated they cannot press charges.
According to Barrett, officials told her that the girls “chose to jump out of the golf cart,” implying that the boy cannot be held responsible for their injuries.
Barrett further alleges that the boy and his associates have a history of criminal behavior, including stealing cars, fighting law enforcement, and harassing young girls. She has received messages from other parents recounting their own negative experiences with the boy but notes that many are afraid to speak out due to fears of retaliation.
Barrett expressed frustration and disbelief over the lack of accountability and the handling of the situation. “How can these boys continue to terrorize the neighborhood simply because they are minors?” she questioned.
She also highlighted the disparity between the kindness and rule-abiding nature of her daughter and her friend compared to the violent behavior of the accused. “My daughter doesn’t bother anyone. She naturally follows the rules and respects everyone around her,” Barrett said.
Barrett is calling on Lee County officials to reevaluate the case and take appropriate legal action against those responsible. She also urges improvements in emergency medical response protocols to ensure that victims receive immediate and adequate care in similar situations.
For now, Kaia’s family is focused on her recovery while navigating the uncertainty and potential long-term effects of her injuries. The case, which has drawn significant community attention, remains a sobering reminder of the need for accountability and justice in protecting vulnerable individuals.
If you have information about this incident, you are encouraged to contact Lee County authorities and reference case #24-660516. Community members are also urged to report any incidents of harassment or violence to help prevent future occurrences.
Crime
Who Is the Hero Teacher, Threw a Phone at Gunman John J. Griffin II, Tackled Him, and Fought Back During the Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting?
Another Unamed Hero in Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting: Teacher throwing phone at gunman Griffin J. John II who attacked , tackling him and fighting him.
Anyone Know Her Name? She Must Be Praised Just Like Kaylub Giamanco
BEND, Oregon — Becky Drury, a 54-year-old teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, sustained serious injuries during the deadly school shooting on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Drury suffered gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand and underwent surgery, according to the information shared about the incident.
As Drury begins what could be a lengthy recovery, new details have also emerged about the reported actions of another teacher who allegedly confronted the gunman during the attack. According to the account attributed to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz during a press conference, the unidentified teacher threw a phone at the suspect, tackled him, and fought back.
The teacher reportedly escaped the confrontation without physical injuries. Officials were said to have clarified that earlier information suggesting the teacher had been injured was incorrect.
Drury was among those injured in the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School. She sustained injuries to her left arm and right hand and required surgery.
Although the injuries were described as serious, the information provided indicates that she survived the operation. Her recovery may involve additional medical treatment, rehabilitation, and emotional support as she works to recover from the traumatic experience.
Her family, colleagues, students, and community members are hoping for her continued improvement and a successful recovery.
The shooting has left the school community dealing with grief, fear, and uncertainty. For those injured, the challenges extend beyond immediate medical care, as they and their loved ones face the psychological and emotional consequences of the violence.
Additional details attributed to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz describe the actions of another Silver Rail Elementary School teacher who reportedly confronted the gunman during the attack.
According to the account provided, the unidentified teacher threw a phone at the suspect, tackled him, and physically fought back. The teacher was reportedly not injured, contrary to earlier information about the confrontation.
The teacher’s reported actions have drawn attention because confronting an armed attacker can involve extraordinary personal risk. However, the precise sequence of events and the extent to which the confrontation affected the outcome should be established through official statements and investigative findings.
The teacher’s identity has not been provided in the supplied information. Protecting that person’s privacy may be particularly important while the school community and those directly involved continue to process the incident.
The supplied account also identifies Kaylub Giamanco as the person who reportedly shot and killed the suspect during the incident.
The suspect has been identified in earlier reports as John J. Griffin II, a 16-year-old. However, the exact spelling and order of the suspect’s name should be confirmed against official law enforcement records before publication.
The reported intervention by Giamanco and the actions attributed to the unidentified teacher are separate aspects of the developing account. Their precise roles and the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death should be described using verified statements from investigators.
As Becky Drury faces recovery, messages of support and prayers are being shared for her and everyone affected by the shooting.
Teachers and school staff often play a central role in supporting children, particularly during frightening and uncertain situations. The reported actions of Drury’s colleague have prompted expressions of appreciation, although the full circumstances should be confirmed before drawing definitive conclusions about what happened.
The emotional impact of a school shooting can continue long after the immediate danger has passed. Survivors, families, students, educators, and first responders may need access to counseling, mental health resources, and other forms of assistance.
Community support may also help families and injured staff members manage medical costs, time away from work, and other practical challenges during recovery.
The Silver Rail Elementary School shooting has left the Bend community confronting profound loss and uncertainty. As families mourn those who died, attention is also turning to the survivors who must navigate the difficult process of healing.
Becky Drury’s recovery remains an important concern for her loved ones and colleagues. The unidentified teacher who reportedly confronted the gunman may also need emotional support after experiencing such a traumatic event, even without physical injuries.
Prayers and support are being extended to Becky Drury, her family, the teacher who reportedly intervened, and every student, family, and staff member affected by the tragedy.